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MUMBAI. — Chris Gayle lauded Virat Kohli as a “world beater” yesterday but warned that the West Indies were ready to upset hosts India in their World Twenty20 cricket semi-final this week.

Kohli has excelled so far at the tournament and hit an unbeaten 82 to lead India to an improbable victory over Australia in a do-or-die final group match on Sunday.

The 27-year-old’s exploits led Indian great Kapil Dev to describe him as “a genius with the bat”, while some commentators even went as far as drawing parallels with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.

Big-hitting Gayle said the form of Kohli, who is the highest scorer of players still in the tournament with 184 runs, was “no surprise” and jokingly urged him not to fire on all cylinders on Thursday.

“I have said it over the years that he is going to be the world beater he is today,” Gayle told reporters in Mumbai ahead of the last-four clash at the Wankhede Stadium.

“I am hoping, please don’t fire, Virat. He can still get runs but for a losing cause. We’ll be happy with that as well,” joked Gayle (36).

Kohli also steered his side to victory over arch-rivals Pakistan earlier in the tournament with a composed half century, but Gayle stressed that the Windies wouldn’t direct their efforts solely towards India’s talisman. — AFP.